Ted Turner

Oh Atlanta… I am thankful to you for many reasons. You’ve got peaches. You’ve got the Falcons (Rise up! I know nothing about NFL teams except for their tag lines), you’ve got the best shopping for those of us in the South who live off I-85 (thank you Phipps Plaza!) who think fine apparel comes from Target (a lot of it does. IT DOES). And you’ve got the Real Housewives of Atlanta. Bless you fair Georgian city. Let’s get right to the newest RHOA gossip, shall we?

Just because she’s starring on Bravo’s sure to be latest hit Don’t Be Tardy for the Wedding with her new husband Kroy Biermann doesn’t mean that Kim Zolciak has forgotten her RHOA roots. After being the palest wig wearer for four seasons, many speculated she would be taking the Bethenny Frankel route and not returning to the show that made her a star household name.

Fear not, dear readers. Kim’stwitterverse (of course, where else?) has been abuzz with rumors that the fair Kim (no pun intended…okay, pun totally intended which is why I italicized) would not be returning to Bravo’s Atlanta franchise for season 5. On Friday, Kim pacified many a worried viewer, tweeting, “I’ll be back don’t believe rumors!!”

In fact, when many Kim followers started to voice their concern that the voluminous wig wearer was placating her masses, her twitters tweeters tweet peeps fans were relieved when Kim reiterated, “I’ll be back!!! Xxx”

Even though there is no official word from Bravo as to the season five cast, I, for one, can rest assured that if Kim’s wig doesn’t grace my screen next season, I can hopefully watch a twitter inspired video network of her future life. #trademarkedandregisteredsaidtwittervideofeedsobackoffpeoplewhowanttobeonsharktank 🙂

In other, and equally important RHOA news, Phaedra Parks is speaking out on eurweb.com about her place on the show and her new career as a funeral director.

As we all know, Phaedra isn’t just a reality star, she’s a savvy business woman and attorney. And due to that, she’s hoping that the show serves as an advertisement for her new other worldly business ventures. It appears that she was picked up for the show just in time to realize her true dream.

Phaedra tells the site, “It wasn’t that I had so much of a desire to be on the Real Housewives of Atlanta. It came at a great time. I was on bed rest. I was pregnant and it was a good opportunity for me to really expand my brand because I had produced TV shows.”

She continues, “I am an entertainment attorney, but I had never been in front of the screen so I understood all the workings of reality except for being a true cast mate. So it gave me an opportunity to say ‘Hey, I have diversified and I can do every part of TV now.’ I know the legal side. I know the technical side and I know the artist side of it.’”

While it’s easy for viewers to see that being a part of the show was a big jump start for Phaedra, she is quick to admit that viewers are the the ones who make the call as to who is popular, who is hated, who needs to stay, and who needs to go. Regardless, Phaedra is very happy with the part she’s played in the franchise and shares what she believes to be the most important aspect of her time with Bravo.

Phaedra asserts, “I think as black people, we have to stop saying this show represents our whole race. We have to vote with our viewership and say ‘On the show we want to see professionals. We want to see mothers. We want to see whatever it is that you actually want to see…[u]nfortunately, as viewers we have sort of bought into the stereotypes that the mass media has shown us for years and we glorify it. One of our biggest characters on there is probably very stereotypical of what we want to admonish as a people, but people love to say ‘Oh we love to see her cut up because that’s what we’re tuning in to see.’”

Amen, Phaedra. I have always thought she brought the comic relief (pickle photo shoots and baby poop, anyone?), but I love to hear her intelligent side give the general opinion of the show. She is, of course, totally correct… people want drama. Sadly, we wouldn’t be tuning in in droves to see the women succeeding in their professional lives. We just like to see Nene Leakes and Kim go at it. #SadForUs

“It’s unfortunate, but I think we have been programmed to want to see drama,” Phaedra continues. “We want to see discord. And when you see people getting along, instead of us actually praising ‘Oh wow, they’re getting along. There’s teamwork. There’s camaraderie. There’s things that’s positive about us as black women,’ people will say ‘Oh, that’s boring. That’s so boring. We don’t want to see that.’ I think we sort of went in a direction where we subscribe to drama and we appreciate that more than sensible behavior.”

In the interview, Phaedra veers away from the show and discusses her dream to own and operate a funeral home. I have to say that for once I don’t think this is a story line Bravo was smart enough to think up on its own, let alone encourage. No offense Andy Cohen, but I do think this has been the long time brainchild of Phaedra herself.

The star speaks candidly about her passion for owning her own mortuary. Phaedra states, “I developed a big desire to be in the funeral home business about five or six years ago. I had a lot of friends that passed away and I was the person that would plan their homegoing services, so that’s how the interest started.” She reveals, “The funeral home I’m going open will be fabulous and the services will be a celebration of life. It will be a family business. My husband, my mother, and my brother will be involved. It’s going to be a great legacy we can leave for our son.”

Bless you, Phaedra. I wish you had been around when I had to plan the funerals of family members. No, I am not Phaedra’s biggest fan, but I do have to applaud what seems like a sincere effort to follow her passion. Bottom line, I do think that if this was the last season we saw of RHOA, ten years from now Phaedra would be embalming our loved ones. And that’s solid on her part.

Finally, turning away from the macabre, I have new cast members to report on…or not report on, as the case may be. Thankfully the Atlanta Journal Constitution is relaying that CNN magnate Ted Turner (the same man who is not, I repeat happily is NOT, Marlo Hampton’s rich older sugar daddy)’s daughter Laura Turner Seydel has been approached by Bravo to join the fifth season.

While she made an appearance on a recent episode to tout her charity, Laura is however way too busy not being uber-dramatic actually doing volunteer work to have her world filmed for the Bravo series.

The site reports that while she did enjoy her minutes in the limelight, she will be turning down Bravo’s offer. Her spokesperson Denise Elsbree claims, “[Laura] really enjoyed that. It was fun. She was able to promote Captain Planet. She works hard to get the message out about the group’s different initiatives.”

After graciously declining Bravo’s invitation, her spokesperson (how many times do I get to quote the actual spokesperson – not a ‘source’ or an ‘insider’ when referring to Bravo-lebrities? Answer: never) states, “[Laura] has a really complicated schedule. She’s on all sorts of boards of foundations and travels all the time. She’s flattered to be considered but there’s no way she could do it.” More respect for you, Mrs. Seydel, more respect.

If you have digested all of this wonderful RHOA info, then clearly you are ready for a preview of tonight’s episode which airs on Bravo at 9PM ET. It’s the third installment of the “ladies'” trip to South Africa and the drama is still high between Marlo and Sheree. When Nene is the voice of reason in screaming match, you know it’s bad! The smalls head to Sheree’s friend’s for dinner while the talls head to Nobu. There is a good deal of fire juggling and Sassafras. The smalls try to set up Kandi with a struggling actor and model, but she didn’t come all the way to Africa to find someone who is fakes it till they make it. With the talls, Cynthia is disappointed that she is with the group that doesn’t want to soak up any culture. Nene eats her sushi with a fork. Can’t wait! A preview clip is below.

ARE YOU EXCITED THAT KIM WILL BE BACK FOR SEASON 5? THOUGHTS ON PHAEDRA’S INTERVIEW? ARE YOU SURPRISED THAT LAURA TURNER SEYDEL WAS APPROACHED FOR THE SHOW?

If you’re anything like me, Real Housewives of Atlanta is a Sunday staple… although not tonight. Apparently, there is some football game on which has sidelined most of my programs (gracious, I sound like my grandmother talking about her soap “stories”).

The news of the moment with the Southern brethren of Bravo’s train wreck franchise is the recent screaming match between Sheree Whitfield and Marlo Hampton while the ladies were supposed to be enjoying an amazing vacation.

As you recall, Marlo didn’t take too kindly to not being invited to a dinner organized by Sheree in the southern hemisphere… even though the two ladies are as far from being actual friends as myself and Kim Kardashian. Although, I have heard through the grapevine that Kimmie is upset with me for not inviting her to my Super Bowl party, which will consist of me watching the Puppy Bowl with my dog while gorging on dip. #nflwhat?

Sheree took to her twitter on January 29 to explain–in small character amounts, of course–her take on the South African blow-up with co-star (?) Marlo. Sheree, like many of us, is confused as to why Marlo would want to tag along to the dinner Sheree and a friend planned in South Africa. As the two barely speak, it is weird that Marlo would get so heated to find out she wouldn’t be joining people she despises at an across-the-globe soiree. A snapshot of Sheree’s tweets is below:

Sheree also stated, perhaps rightfully so, that Marlo’s overreaction was an attempt to secure a spot on the show! Sheree tweeted: “I know, I hate I even went there! Thats what I was speaking of when I said ‘I see what ur doing’ Trying 2 secure a spot on the show.”

And speaking of Marlo, lots of information has been circulating as to just who exactly her rich, older “Sugar Daddy” is. Please say it isn’t so, Mr. Turner!

The website wetpaint.com is reporting that the gossip regarding CNN magnate Ted Turner bank-rolling the very scary Marlo (kidding, love you, ‘Lo!) is just that… gossip. I knew he didn’t seem like that kind of dude. He’s too busy making sure we see the news, as well as classic movies. Thanks for that, Ted.

It’s not strange that people up on Atlanta dirt would speculate about Marlo’s alleged “Big Poppa” after Sheree yelled about her nemesis’s 80-year-old, white sugar daddy during the pair’s infamous vacay showdown. However, what is odd is that Marlo didn’t bat an eyelash at Sheree’s accusation. There was definitely no denial coming from Ms. Hampton.

Since that fateful episode, many media outlets have suggested–or downright claimed–that billionaire Ted Turner was the cash behind Marlo’s lavish lifestyle. However, an insider tells the site: “Absolutely NOT! She wishes he were.” So sorry for wondering Ted! The Ted rumors were also fueled by a recent RHOA episode, in which Marlo attended an event put together by Ted’s daughter and reported current girlfriend.

The same source is adamant that this rumor is another one of Marlo’s ploys, saying: “[This is] just her trying to divert the talk from her criminal past AND the fact she was caught using the word f***ot!”

So, with the media mogul officially out of the running as Marlo’s secret older gentleman – who is paying for all of her designer duds? She can’t be returning it all! Another report came out this week alleging that Marlo’s lavish lifestyle was being funded by the money she got from a currently imprisoned ex who happened to be a big time drug dealer.

SHOULD SHEREE HAVE INVITED MARLO TO HER DINNER PARTY IN SOUTH AFRICA? WHO DO YOU THINK IS MARLO’S SUGAR DADDY? ARE YOU TOTALLY CONVINCED IT ISN’T TED TURNER?

Marlo, Marlo, Marlo… I’m almost afraid to write anything controversial about Ms. Marlo Hampton because she scares me a little bit. Anyways, last week Marlo showed viewers her true colors feisty side when she went head to head with Sheree Whitfield.

Among the cray-cray accusations flying back and forth between two ladies of questionable means was the suggestion that Marlo has an 80-year-old white sugar daddy and that Sheree has quite the reputation as a shop’n swapper, akaJill Zarin-ing the merchandise by wearing it with the tags on and then returning it!

Well, that got the blogosphere’s ears perked up and several people started investigating just who Ms. Hampton’s allegedly Big Poppas are! The blog Diary Of A Hollywood Street King got the scoop on Marlo’s relationship status, and was told by a source they consider reliable that Marlo is allegedly the mistress to none other than mogul, Atlanta dweller, and CNN founder Ted Turner! Ted, pictured below, while not quite 80, is actually a very dignified 73 – and he is very, very rich.

Now remember this is all alleged information and none of it is to be taken as fact. “Ted Turner was Marlo’s sugar daddy. My understanding is that Marlo is one of the reasons why Jane Fonda divorced Ted Turner,” the insider exposes. “Ted Turner is the ‘sponsor’ who financed the The Red Carpet Boutique Marlo had at the Perimeter mall in ATL. Marlo knows how to get money, she’s a true hustler.” Marlo owned a boutique? Please tell me one of you amazing readers has been there!

Following up on the story is Atlanta’s StraightFromTheA blog, who learned from one their readers that the Real Housewives of Atlanta star may have another source of, ahem… income, other than Ted. Allegedly, of course.

Apparently speculation is that Marlo was previously the girlfriend of a high-profile drug dealer from her days in Florida and this is where the majority of her money comes from. Prior to living in Atlanta, Marlo was breaking the law all over Florida, the results of which garnered her a whopping SEVEN arrests! Can’t say the girl just sat around!

“She was dating a drug dealer back in 95, initials WM,” the source explains. “They were living together, had an argument and she tried to have him arrested for battery. He moves out and moves in with another girl. Marlo comes back into the picture. Goes over to his house and attacks WM. He tries to have her arrested for battery.”

The source continues, “A few days after the altercation and trying to file charges on her, he gets investigated for various drug charges (he has prior convictions of selling drugs). Within the month he goes down- charged to the hilt.”

“Probably because of previous plea deals and probation he got slammed.” Marlo’s supposed ex-boyfriend is still incarcerated! After unceremoniously ending her relationship Marlo moved her money to Atlanta where she paid cash for her luxury townhome, which was shown in an episode from two weeks ago. If you recall Marlo had quite the extensive security system set up and if any of the above allegations are true, it would make sense why!

According to StraightFromTheA, a “well-informed source” told the her about the deal Marlo negotiated to purchase her home. Tax records show that the home was paid for in cash and Marlo owns it outright! Not too shabby.

Moving right along to that other accusation about Sheree’s activities at the return merchandise counter at Neiman Marcus, it seems she’s not the only one! As several readers pointed out, Marlo had a tag hanging off the back of her caftan during last week’s breakfast scene! Photos below!

StraightFromTheA got the scoop from one of her sources, who claims Marlo likes to visit the return counter as well! Perhaps she and Sheree can start going together. The insider also alleges that Marlo’s extensive collection of Louis Vuitton luggage was also on “loan” and she was seen storing all the tags “neatly” in an envelope, meaning she purchased them expressly for the trip. When Marlo was asked why she was keeping the tags, she told cast mates she likes to “catalog” her items by designer and year! Le sigh.

Moving right along, NeNe Leakes is apparently highly incensed at Sheree’s behavior towards her new friend. Taking to Twitter, NeNe decided to remind fans of what Sheree looked like beforeBob Whitfield came into the picture and supplied her with a new nose, as he purports. NeNe posted a “before” photo of Sheree and let’s just say she’s taken things down a notch.

Now I think Sheree looked fine before and she looks fine now, but there is most definitely a difference in her appearance! “Sheree’s old nose RT!!! <I remember,” NeNe ReTweeted. The photo is below.

NeNe is still working on Glee. as she made several Tweets about reprising her role and apparently she will also be branching out into the talk show market. NeNe Tweeted, “Great news: I’ve been asked 2 co-hosting on The Talk, next Wednesday & Thursday! This should b fun! Tune n,” she revealed.

And in other NeNe Leakes Takes Twitter activities, the star Tweeted about filming last night. “Just kicked @kingdomlos out my house! We finally finished shooting or did we LOL.” Kingdomlos is a the Twitter account for Carlos King – a RHOA producer! So what was NeNe shooting for Housewives?

Check out this TwitPic, below, and take a good look at what Ms. Leakes is wearing and see if its the shirt from her interview segments. It looks similar!

THOUGHTS ON THE SHOCKING INFORMATION ABOUT MARLO’S ALLEGED SUGAR DADDIES? TELL US – IS THERE ANY TRUTH TO THE RUMORS? WHAT WAS NENE FILMING FOR RHOA?

CLICK THE CONTINUE READING BUTTON TO SEE SHEREE’S “OLD NOSE”!

UPDATE – One of our readers @whatwomenwant pointed out to us that the photo Nene retweeted of Sheree is photoshopped. The original image is below!